A Bangor volunteer firefighter faces possible repercussions for online photos that show him in suggestive poses while wearing his department-issued equipment.

Ernest Hase III, a Liberty Fire Company No. 2 firefighter, has a profile dubbed "Plugger" on the online dating site Fubar.com. The profile was accessible to all website visitors earlier this week but now requires permission from the user for others to see.

Liberty's fire chief says it's against the volunteer department's rules to use any department-issued gear for anything other than department business. He says a disciplinary committee will be reviewing the matter.

The website, which markets itself as a digital bar, allows users to interact with people online, send virtual drinks to one another and share photos.

In several of the photos, which had been accessible to all, Hase shows himself flexing shirtless in his fire helmet and fire pants. At least two photos showed him with his fire pants' fly folded open and his underwear exposed.

Other photos show the firefighter marching in a parade in dress uniform while carrying a Bangor Fire Department banner, assisting Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in a department Christmas event and battling fires. The company's emblem of a red dragon with a fire hose and axe is displayed prominently on the page as well.

A Houston, Texas, woman who contacted The Express-Times identified Plugger as Hase, who also serves as a trustee of the department. Angie Brown, 43, said she had been talking with Hase online for three years through Fubar. Their relationship started out friendly but developed romantically over time, she said.

However, she said, she cut things off with him when she realized Hase had been communicating with other women online and when she saw the suggestive pictures of Hase while in uniform and other, more graphic photos of Hase.

Calls to Hase seeking comment were not returned.

Fire Chief Robert Owens said Tuesdayhe was unaware of the photos but would begin investigating. On Wednesday, Owens issued a written statement saying the photos violated department policy.

"The Bangor Fire Department issues personal protective gear for the use of our firefighters during an emergency situation. The gear is to be used only for that purpose and the use of the gear as depicted in these photos is in violation of the policies of the department. This matter will be addressed by a disciplinary committee, as is our standard procedure for such policy violations," he wrote.

The statement added, "The gear must be with our volunteers so that they can go directly to the incident 24 hours per day and seven days per week. We cannot possibly monitor the actions of our members 24 hours per day and seven days per week as is true for any volunteer organization. We are not aware of any other firefighters who are violating department policies in a similar fashion, but should we learn of any such violations, they too will be subject to the ruling of the disciplinary committee."

A folder of photos named "Lil Plugger" on Hase's profile was not public and
required permission from the user to see.

The day after a reporter left a phone message for Hase, the entire Plugger profile was no longer open to the public.

Bangor Mayor John Brown deferred comment to Owens. A call to Bangor Council President Craig Roberts was not immediately returned.

Vice President Bonnie LaBar said she was unaware of the situation. When asked if council would end up investigating the matter, she said, "I think that's an issue for the fire department."